Average Cost of Car Insurance in 2026
The U.S. national average is $66/month for liability-only coverage and $167/month for full coverage. Here's what 'average' looks like for your state, age, and driver profile.
Updated May 21, 2026 · Methodology
| Coverage tier | Avg monthly | Avg annual | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum | $54 | $648 | +3.8% |
| Liability only | $66 | $792 | +4.2% |
| Full coverage | $167 | $2,004 | +4.4% |
| Full + extras | $197 | $2,364 | +4.6% |
- Coverage tierState minimumAvg monthly$54Avg annual$648YoY change+3.8%
- Coverage tierLiability onlyAvg monthly$66Avg annual$792YoY change+4.2%
- Coverage tierFull coverageAvg monthly$167Avg annual$2,004YoY change+4.4%
- Coverage tierFull + extrasAvg monthly$197Avg annual$2,364YoY change+4.6%
The national average car insurance premium is approximately $66/month for liability-only coverage and $167/month for full coveragein 2026 — reflecting medians across all U.S. driver profiles. Premiums rose 4.2% year-over-year, meaningfully less than the 12.5% jump in 2024 or the 9.1% jump in 2025, as repair-cost inflation moderated and reinsurance markets stabilized.
But “average” is just a starting point. Your specific rate is shaped by your ZIP, age, vehicle, driving record, credit-based insurance score (where allowed), coverage limits, and continuous-coverage history. The detailed tables below show how each of these dimensions shifts the average.
- Premiums rose 4.2% YoY — much slower than the 12.5% jump in 2024.
- Cheapest state (New Hampshire): $80/mo full coverage. Most expensive (D.C.): $335/mo.
- A clean record vs. one moving violation is roughly a 21% premium difference.
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Average cost by age band
Age is the second-largest rating factor after geography. Teen drivers pay 2.3× the 30–39 baseline; mid-life drivers (40–64) get a small discount, and seniors 75+ creep back up slightly.
| Age range | Liability only | Full coverage | vs. 30–39 baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16–19 | $162 | $398 | +138% |
| 20–24 | $112 | $268 | +60% |
| 25–29 | $78 | $192 | +15% |
| 30–39 | $66 | $167 | baseline |
| 40–49 | $62 | $156 | −7% |
| 50–64 | $58 | $153 | −8% |
| 65–74 | $66 | $170 | +2% |
| 75+ | $78 | $196 | +17% |
- Age range16–19Liability only$162Full coverage$398vs. 30–39 baseline+138%
- Age range20–24Liability only$112Full coverage$268vs. 30–39 baseline+60%
- Age range25–29Liability only$78Full coverage$192vs. 30–39 baseline+15%
- Age range30–39Liability only$66Full coverage$167vs. 30–39 baselinebaseline
- Age range40–49Liability only$62Full coverage$156vs. 30–39 baseline−7%
- Age range50–64Liability only$58Full coverage$153vs. 30–39 baseline−8%
- Age range65–74Liability only$66Full coverage$170vs. 30–39 baseline+2%
- Age range75+Liability only$78Full coverage$196vs. 30–39 baseline+17%
Average cost by driver record
| Record | Avg monthly | vs. clean | Years effect lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean (3+ yrs) | $167 | baseline | — |
| One speeding ticket | $202 | +21% | 3 years |
| One at-fault accident | $237 | +42% | 3–5 years |
| Two incidents | $291 | +74% | 3–5 years |
| DUI on record | $404 | +142% | 3–5 years (varies) |
| SR-22 required | $394 | +136% | 3 years post-reinstatement |
- RecordClean (3+ yrs)Avg monthly$167vs. cleanbaselineYears effect lasts—
- RecordOne speeding ticketAvg monthly$202vs. clean+21%Years effect lasts3 years
- RecordOne at-fault accidentAvg monthly$237vs. clean+42%Years effect lasts3–5 years
- RecordTwo incidentsAvg monthly$291vs. clean+74%Years effect lasts3–5 years
- RecordDUI on recordAvg monthly$404vs. clean+142%Years effect lasts3–5 years (varies)
- RecordSR-22 requiredAvg monthly$394vs. clean+136%Years effect lasts3 years post-reinstatement
Average cost by vehicle type
| Vehicle type | Avg monthly | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Minivan | $159 | Family driver demographic, low claim severity |
| Sedan (mid-size) | $167 | Baseline |
| Pickup truck | $176 | Higher repair costs, more claims |
| SUV / crossover | $181 | Higher curb weight = higher claim severity |
| Electric vehicle | $197 | Sensor calibration + battery replacement costs |
| Sports / performance | $220 | Higher accident frequency, higher horsepower |
| Luxury | $234 | Higher repair costs, more expensive parts |
- Vehicle typeMinivanAvg monthly$159WhyFamily driver demographic, low claim severity
- Vehicle typeSedan (mid-size)Avg monthly$167WhyBaseline
- Vehicle typePickup truckAvg monthly$176WhyHigher repair costs, more claims
- Vehicle typeSUV / crossoverAvg monthly$181WhyHigher curb weight = higher claim severity
- Vehicle typeElectric vehicleAvg monthly$197WhySensor calibration + battery replacement costs
- Vehicle typeSports / performanceAvg monthly$220WhyHigher accident frequency, higher horsepower
- Vehicle typeLuxuryAvg monthly$234WhyHigher repair costs, more expensive parts
See your real rate
The national average is a starting point. Get binding quotes for your specific profile.
Average cost by state
State medians range from $80/mo (New Hampshire) to $335/mo (D.C.) for full coverage.
| State | Avg monthly: liability only | Avg monthly: full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $45/mo | $132/mo |
| Alaska | $48/mo | $135/mo |
| Arizona | $62/mo | $168/mo |
| Arkansas | $44/mo | $138/mo |
| California | $82/mo | $194/mo |
| Colorado | $62/mo | $176/mo |
| Connecticut | $71/mo | $182/mo |
| Delaware | $75/mo | $188/mo |
| D.C. | $148/mo | $335/mo |
| Florida | $98/mo | $238/mo |
| Georgia | $72/mo | $172/mo |
| Hawaii | $38/mo | $112/mo |
| Idaho | $32/mo | $108/mo |
| Illinois | $48/mo | $148/mo |
| Indiana | $51/mo | $129/mo |
| Iowa | $46/mo | $118/mo |
| Kansas | $49/mo | $152/mo |
| Kentucky | $68/mo | $178/mo |
| Louisiana | $112/mo | $262/mo |
| Maine | $36/mo | $98/mo |
| Maryland | $72/mo | $176/mo |
| Massachusetts | $58/mo | $154/mo |
| Michigan | $88/mo | $214/mo |
| Minnesota | $54/mo | $148/mo |
| Mississippi | $58/mo | $148/mo |
| Missouri | $56/mo | $152/mo |
| Montana | $42/mo | $138/mo |
| Nebraska | $44/mo | $132/mo |
| Nevada | $78/mo | $192/mo |
| New Hampshire | $34/mo | $80/mo |
| New Jersey | $84/mo | $192/mo |
| New Mexico | $56/mo | $148/mo |
| New York | $92/mo | $220/mo |
| North Carolina | $42/mo | $118/mo |
| North Dakota | $38/mo | $118/mo |
| Ohio | $44/mo | $118/mo |
| Oklahoma | $58/mo | $176/mo |
| Oregon | $54/mo | $138/mo |
| Pennsylvania | $58/mo | $148/mo |
| Rhode Island | $72/mo | $192/mo |
| South Carolina | $70/mo | $167/mo |
| South Dakota | $36/mo | $132/mo |
| Tennessee | $48/mo | $138/mo |
| Texas | $76/mo | $181/mo |
| Utah | $58/mo | $148/mo |
| Vermont | $42/mo | $112/mo |
| Virginia | $46/mo | $132/mo |
| Washington | $58/mo | $148/mo |
| West Virginia | $62/mo | $158/mo |
| Wisconsin | $44/mo | $118/mo |
| Wyoming | $42/mo | $148/mo |
Source: Insurances Quote internal data, May 2026. Rates illustrative; individual quotes vary by ZIP, driver record, vehicle, and credit-based insurance score.
How car insurance rates are trending in 2026
The 4.2% YoY increase in 2026 is meaningfully lower than the 12.5% jump in 2024 or the 9.1% jump in 2025. Underlying pressure (repair-cost inflation, severe-weather losses) moderated through Q1, though catalytic-converter theft and ADAS sensor calibration costs remain real factors keeping the floor elevated.
State-level spread continues to widen. Five steepest 2026 increases: Georgia (+9.1%), D.C. (+8.4%), New York (+7.8%), California (+7.1%), New Jersey (+6.5%). Five smallest: Nebraska (-1.4%), Iowa (-0.6%), Wisconsin (+0.2%), Idaho (+0.8%), Maine (+1.1%).
Is your rate above or below average?
- Below state avg + clean record = you're paying right. Re-check at renewal.
- Below state avg + record incidents = your carrier may have lost track. Verify discounts.
- Within ±10% of state avg = normal range.
- New driver or new state? Expect higher than average for first 12 months.
- Above avg + clean record = you're overpaying. Shop now, switch likely saves 20%+.
- Above avg + recent move = your prior carrier may be using stale ZIP data.
- Above avg + new vehicle = check if loan terms forced higher comp/collision than needed.
- 30%+ above state avg with a clean record = almost certainly overpaying.
From average to your actual rate
- 1Set expectations
Use the tables above to know your range.
- 2Enter ZIP
Your ZIP, not the state, drives the actual quote.
- 3Profile detail
Vehicle, drivers, record. ~2 minutes.
- 4Compare quotes
Binding quotes, sorted by price.
- 5Switch or stay
If new is meaningfully cheaper, switch. If close, stay.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my premium so much higher than the national average?
How is "average" calculated here?
Are rates going up in 2026?
How much can I save by shopping?
Why are rates so much higher in some states?
Sources
- NAIC — Auto Insurance Database Report
- Insurance Information Institute — Auto Insurance Premium Trends
- Insurance Research Council — Auto Insurance Affordability Index
Methodology
All averages are medians across 1.4M shopper-submitted binding quotes processed through Insurances Quote (Jan 2024 – May 2026), blended with publicly filed Department of Insurance rate data. Driver profiles normalized to: 30–65 years old, clean three-year record, mid-size sedan, average credit-based insurance score, $500 deductible on full coverage, 100/300/100 liability limits.
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